Where We Live

Architect and attorney Sara Bronin spent seven years as the chair of the Hartford Planning and Zoning Commission. Connecticut listeners might know her from her work with the organization DesegregateCT, a statewide coalition pushing for zoning reform across in our state. Her new book Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World goes beyond Hartford, and looks at how zoning molds cities and communit...

Today on Where We Live, a Connecticut lab is embarking on a groundbreaking initiative to study endometriosis, a painful condition that impacts people with a uterus. Endometriosis is just one of the many invisible illnesses that impact an estimated 10% of the American population, according to Disabled World , an independent Health and Disability news source. This hour, we talk about why invisible i...

Dating in 2024 can be tough. There are no shortage of stories about dating in the age of Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and more! But today, we're going to talk about dating, and falling in love, when you're an older adult. Last fall, the spinoff show “The Golden Bachelor” started a national conversation about falling in love in midlife and beyond. Today we hear from experts about dating in this age range...

Last school year, students across the nation took part in on campus protests to bring attention to the Israel-Hamas War. Overwhelmingly, student protesters were demanding that their colleges divest from Israel. It led to encampments on college greens, large demonstrations and some arrests of both students and faculties. At some campuses, college administrations have welcomed student demonstrations...

As the author of the children’s book My Mama is a Pilot , Saba Shahid says she wants children to feel “represented and valued” through her stories. Only 1% of commercial airline pilots are women of color. And Saba Shahid’s path to becoming a pilot is a little bit different than most. It actually started as a pandemic hobby! Saba Shahid is this year’s recipient of the Girl Scouts Legacy of Leadersh...

National Hobbit Day is this week. From the rolling hills of the Shire to the great forests of Mirkwood, J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantastical worlds have inspired generations of illustrators to bring imagined concepts to life through art. This hour, we sit down with three local fantasy and science-fiction illustrators, including David Wenzel, who created a graphic novel adaptation of The Hobbit. GUESTS : D...

Many wine tastings are about evaluating the aroma, balance and tannin. But for some people, wine is about so much more than that. It’s about history, community, and memory. Less than 1% of wineries in the United States are owned by Black connoisseurs. But that is starting to change. And with more makers, lovers and sellers of color coming into this industry, who consumes and enjoys wine is evolvin...

It might not feel like it today, but cooler weather is coming. This often means more time spent indoors, and an uptick in contagious diseases such as the flu, the common cold, and yes, COVID-19. Today, we’ll talk about what you need to know to protect yourself and your family this year. The new COVID-19 booster is available. But deciding when you should vaccinate - that’s a case by case basis. Eas...

It can be hard for many adults to self-regulate their screen time. For kids, it can be nearly impossible. According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Children ages 8-12 are spending 4 to 6 hours in front of screens a day. Teens are spending up to 9 hours in front of screens. According to a report by Pew Research Center, 72% of teachers say cellphone distraction is a maj...

Summer camp and after-school care provide kids with a safe place to learn, grow and also give working parents some peace of mind. But they’re not accessible for all kids. This hour, we look at the impact on families when out-of-classroom programs are out of reach. GUESTS : Corrianne Chipello , Executive Director & CEO, Hartford’s Camp Courant Michelle Doucette Cunningham , Executive Director,...

This hour is bound to make you very hungry because we’re talking about New Haven pizza. This year, U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro officially declared New Haven, the Pizza Capital of America. Today, we talk to some pizza lovers. We'll also hear about a new documentary that follows pizza lovers beyond Connecticut. New Haven pizza is so legendary that pizza makers are now trying to duplicate it acro...

Here in Connecticut and across the country, a growing number of obstetric units are closing, creating “maternity care deserts.” Today on Where We Live , we explore the long-term impact of quality medical care on maternal health. And later, we hear from local author, Kassondra Mangione, about her new book: Poemspartum . GUESTS : Katy Golvala , Health Reporter, Connecticut Mirror Alecia McGregor , A...

Do two people need to be aligned politically to have a deep connection and strong romantic bond? Can one truly be considered liberal if they habitually swipe left on conservatives? Today, we're sharing an episode from the podcast "Dating While Gray." Host Laura Stassi talks to older Americans and experts about ideological differences and their role in making and maintaining romantic connections. ...

Last week, floodwaters devastated several communities in Connecticut washing out over two dozen state roads. There have been nearly 200 people killed on Connecticut roads this year alone. Labor Day weekend is coming up. According to the National Safety Council, there were 455 traffic fatalities nationally over the holiday weekend in 2023. Today, we’re talking about all things roads, highway and tr...

It’s been a summer with all sorts of weather. We’ve seen flooding , and high heat putting our gardens through all sorts of chaos. Today, horticulturist Charlie Nardozzi join us to talk about this hot, cold, wet, dry, stormy, sunny chaotic gardening year! It’s not too late to start planting your fall crops. We hear what plants could thrive this season as autumn rapidly approaches. August is Tree Ch...

Every presidential election, campaigns flood our TVs with political ads. Back in 1952, “Ike for President” became the very first political advertisement on TV. Dwight Eisenhower's campaign may have been the first to use television like this. But it’s certainly not the last. Today, more than 70 years later, political ads are everywhere. In recent weeks, both the Kamala Harris and Donald Trump campa...

Getting a doctor’s appointment is hard. But for the incarcerated population in Connecticut, it’s nearly impossible. An internal review showed that many incarcerated persons were denied medical care leading to severe consequences including medical emergencies and even death. Today, we get an update on what we’re seeing in Connecticut prison systems, and hear from those who had loved ones in the sys...

This past weekend floodwaters devastated several communities in Connecticut washing out over two dozen state roads. It also took the lives of two Connecticut residents. Nearly ten inches of rain fell in a matter of hours in certain parts of the state. This is equivalent to three months of rainfall. That’s according to Connecticut Insider. Today, we talk about what we saw in our state . With severa...

More workers than ever are working a hybrid work schedule - part time in the office and part time at home. According to a Gallup Poll, nearly 40% of hybrid workers can set their own schedule. Yet burnout feels more apparent than ever before. Many offices are searching to find solutions to provide better work-life balance including the four day work week. Today, we revisit this topic and explore ot...

It's an hour for puzzle lovers! Everdeen Mason, Editorial Director of Games for The New York Times and Joel Fagliano, Digital Puzzles Editor and Creator of The Mini Crossword talk about The Crossword, Spelling Bee, Connections and more. Plus, we’re celebrating 10 years of the Mini ! GUESTS: Everdeen Mason : Editorial Director for Games for The New York Times Joel Fagliano : Digital Puzzles Editor...

Today on Where We Live, states across New England are investing in offshore wind turbines – a renewable energy source that is relatively new to the United States. But while offshore wind has a proven track record in other countries, critics worry their costs outweigh their benefits. Reporters covering the battle over offshore wind, Luther Turmelle and Jan Ellen Spiegel, join us. And UConn politica...

Poet laureates do a lot more than write poetry. Since 1985, Connecticut state poet laureates have worked to promote the literary arts and poetry throughout the Nutmeg state, visiting schools, performing spoken word and passing on poetry to the next generation of writers. There is no straight path to this position. Some of our guests today have been writing poetry all their lives. Others got bitten...

Even before the pandemic, half of all adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness. In 2023, a report from Surgeon General Vivek Murthy showed that loneliness and isolation has physical consequences like increased risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia. Murthy stressed how social connection is the key to individual and community health and well being. This idea of social connec...

June is Infertility Awareness Month. According to the World Health Organization, around 1 in 6 people are now affected by infertility. A new study suggests that microplastics might be impacting male infertility. And while technological advances offer opportunities and hope for many would-be parents, treatments like IVF are expensive, and they’re not available for everyone. Plus, they don’t always...

Many of us grew up with classic comics such as the funnies in the Sunday newspaper! But comics aren’t just tiny anecdotes of humor anymore. They tackle serious content, reaching readers of all ages. And with more artists and authors coming on the scene, we are seeing more diverse stories and storytelling. And although newspaper comics aren’t going anywhere, graphic novels are reigning the day. 35...